Bishop Kelly backs up ranking, beats Emmett 43-19 behind stingy defense
BOISE, Idaho - Bishop Kelly backed up its No. 1 ranking Friday night with a 43-19 thrashing of two-time defending 4A Southern Idaho Conference champion Emmett.
Quarterback Hadley Smith accounted for five touchdowns for the Knights (7-0, 3-0), who largely stifled an explosive Huskies' attack that entered the week averaging nearly 42 points per game.
"It was a great game overall," senior Logan Fettic said. "We scored, obviously, but most of it comes down to the defense. They do a great job every week and we haven’t allowed over 20 points all year."
With the win, the Knights have the inside track to the league championship with two games remaining in the regular season.
The fourth-ranked Huskies scored on their opening drives of each half and added another touchdown in the closing minutes. Outside of those three possessions, it was all Bishop Kelly.
The Knights got the ball first and needed just seven plays to seize the lead for good, recording the game’s first points on a Fettic 13-yard reception.
Smith scrambled for a 19-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter and fired two more touchdown in the period for a 29-6 Knights' halftime advantage. The senior quarterback ended the night completing 15 of 19 passes for 184 yards and four scores.
Tight end Max Ciovacco and Fettic each had a pair of touchdown receptions. Fettic credited Smith’s accuracy and the pass protection for Bishop Kelly’s success through the air.
"The O Line was stepping up every play, and another big part of that is the running backs blocking when they’re not getting the ball," he said. "It was just a great performance by everybody."
The Huskies, who were going for a third consecutive win over Bishop Kelly, leaned on tailback Ry Fullerton. The senior tallied 125 rushing yards and a touchdown on 30 carries.
Star quarterback Dakota Perry had 11 completions, nine of which went to senior receiver Stevie Howe. Howe had a 41-yard scoring reception and finished with 114 yards.
Bishop Kelly limited Emmett to just 263 yards of total offense.
"Defensive line got off the ball, linebackers were making plays," said Ciovacco, who recorded a sack as an edge rusher. "The defensive backs kind of held them, so it felt great."
